This article explores differences between parents and non-parents enrolled in psychiatric rehabilitation programs in terms of associated treatment outcomes. Being a parent is generally associated with worse treatment outcomes compared to non-parents, including an increased history of suicide attempts.

Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is a safe and effective treatment for individuals with severe psychiatric disorders. Despite these promising outcomes, ECT is extremely underutilized.

This week, Commissioner Land at the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services (DBHDS) announced the temporary closing of admissions at five adult state psychiatric hospitals: Catawba, Central State, Eastern State, Piedmont Geriatric and Western State. 

Virginia just ran out of psychiatric beds and people in need of inpatient treatment are being turned away from hospitals. Virginians with severe mental illness (SMI) who are in crisis now have nowhere to go. This is the direct result of Virginia and the federal government failing to adequately fund hospital beds. 

Working to improve mental health care isn’t just about investing in the present; it’s also about investing in the future.Treatment Advocacy Center’s summer interns are invested in helping those who cannot help themselves receive the treatment and support they need. We are happy Daisy, Ellen and Nadia are joining us this summer and can’t wait to see what they accomplish – at Treatment Advocacy Center and in the future. 

I was diagnosed with bipolar disorder in my teens and schizoaffective disorder when I was hospitalized as a psychiatric inpatient in my mid-20s. For more than a decade since then, I have shared my journey through severe mental illness (SMI) as a means to shape SMI policy and practice across the United States.

With the right medication, proper tools and support in the mental health system, those with SMI can succeed. My son proved it. But his story should not be the exception, his story should be the norm. There is still much work to be done.

Women with serious mental illness face specific challenges dealing with their family relationships and illnesses, according to a study published last week in Family Relations.

Research Roundup is a monthly public service of the Office of Research and Public Affairs. Each edition describes a striking new data point about severe mental illness and summarizes recently published research reports or developments.